Week of 1 - Lamar Middle School

 Scottie News
9
Scottie Sports:
Congratulations to the Lamar Girls’ Soccer Team on their
season opening 8-1 win over Covington on Saturday 1/16.
The girls have blended together quickly to become a strong
team with a promising season ahead. The Lady Scotties
dominated on offense with 2 goals each by Lily Parker,
Karen Estrada, and Lily Morales, and one goal each from
Sammi Galarraga and Avery Miller. Outstanding defense
was led by Sarah Slaten and Ellie Green, who kept
Covington scoreless for most of the game. Way to go Lady
Scotties! Come support the team at their next match
against Kealing. The game will take place 9:00am at
McCallum HS on Saturday 1/23.
It was an exciting night of basketball on Thursday 1/21 as
the Lamar 8th grade teams swept Webb Middle School. The
8th grade A-team won 52 to 49, and the 8th grade B-team
won 31 to 21. Thanks to all the fans, students, faculty and
cheerleaders that came out and supported the team.
The 7th grade boys’ basketball teams won both of their
games at Webb last night. The A-team won 50-22 after
coming out strong early in the first half led on offense by
Jahvante Oconner with back-to-back three’s to close out
the first quarter. Defensively, the dogs forced turnover after
turnover with help from Albert Garza and Shaun Mansion.
The B-team won their second game of the season 34-21
behind a late game surge that saw the Scotties up by as
many as 15. Otil Wilson led the dogs on offense, while
Julian Vasquez set the tone on defense. The next games
for both grade levels will take place on Thursday 1/28
against Mendez. Come on out and support our players!
Fine Arts:
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Mon. – Fri. Boys BB Practice 3:45 – 6:00pm in the gym
Thursday 1/28 Boys BB Games vs. Mendez
 7th grade B-team 5:30 & A-team 6:30 @ Lamar
 8th grade B-team 5:30 & A-team 6:30 @ Mendez
Thursday 1/28 Cheerleading practice 3:45-5:15 in the
small gym
Mon., Wed. & Thurs. Girls Soccer Practice 3:45 -5:15
on the soccer field
Saturday 1/30 Girl Soccer Game vs. Burnet 9:00 am
@ Lamar
Monday 1/25 No Place for Hate Peace Through Pie
event from 6:00pm to 7:00pm in the cafeteria
Down the Road:
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Athletics:
Monday 1/25 Choir Sectional – Scottie Singers Soprano
1 @ 7:30-8:15 in the choir room
Monday 1/25 Cinderella rehearsal @ 3:30 in the choir
room
Tuesday 1/26 Choir Sectional – Scottie Singers Soprano
2 @ 7:30-8:15 in the choir room
Tuesday 1/26 & Thursday 1/28 Dance Company
rehearsal @ 7:30am in the dance portable Tuesday 1/26 Cinderella rehearsal @ 3:30 in the
cafeteria
Wednesday 1/27 Choir Sectional – Scottie Singers Alto
@ 7:30-8:15 in the choir room
Wednesday 1/27 Cinderella rehearsal @ 3:30 in the
cafeteria
Wednesday 1/27 Theatre Production performs Holiday
Celebrity Tell All @ 6:30 in the cafeteria
Thursday 1/28 Choir Sectional – Scottie Singers Makeups @ 7:30-8:15 in the choir room
Thursday 1/28 Intermediate Theatre field trip to
Paramount @ 11:00am
Thursday 1/28 Cinderella rehearsal @ 3:30 in the
cafeteria
Saturday 1/30 Instrument Discovery Day @ 8:00am to
12pm in the band hall
Other:
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Next Week:
January 25, 2016 Issue 54 
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Monday 2/1 Choir Sectional - Doggie Dames Soprano 1
@ 7:30-8:15 in the choir room
Monday 2/1 & Wednesday 2/3 Dance Company
rehearsal @ 7:30am in the dance portable Monday 2/1 Cinderella rehearsal @ 3:30 in the cafeteria;
Act II Run-Through
Monday 2/1 First track practice for 7th and 8th grade girls
3:45-5:30 on the field (must have a physical on file)
Monday 2/1 AISD Board Appreciation event @ 5:00pm
Tuesday 2/2 Choir Sectional - Doggie Dames Soprano 2
@ 7:30-8:15 in the choir room
Tuesday 2/2 Cinderella rehearsal @ 3:30 in the cafeteria;
Full show run-through
Wednesday 2/3 Dance Candles & Moore Fundraiser
begins
Wednesday 2/3 Choir Sectional - Doggie Dames Alto @
7:30-8:15 in the choir room
Wednesday 2/3 Chinese class field trip to Chinatown @
9:00am
Down the Road Continued:
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Wednesday 2/3 Cinderella rehearsal @ 3:30 in the
cafeteria; Full show run-through
Wednesday 2/3 Boys BB B-Team Games @ Lamar
7th gr. B-team vs. Webb @ 5:30; 8th gr. B-team vs.
Martin @ 6:30
Wednesday 2/3 Dance Guild Meeting @ 6:00pm in the
library
Thursday 2/4 Choir Region Sectional – Doggie Dames
Make-ups @ 7:30-8:15 in the choir room
Thursday 2/4 Visual Arts Majors Meeting @ 7:45am in
room 504
Thursday 2/4 Cinderella rehearsal @ 3:30 in the
cafeteria; All cast on call
Thursday 2/4 Cheerleading practice 3:45-5:15 in the
small gym
Thursday 2/4 Boys BB A-team Games vs. Dobie @
Lamar; 7th gr. @ 5:30 & 8th gr. @ 6:30
Thursday 2/4 Choir Booster Meeting @ 6:00pm in the
choir room
Friday 2/5 Choir South Padre Payment #5 Due
Saturday 2/6 Choir TMEA All-Region Choir Clinic &
Concert 9:00am to 5:00pm @ AISD PAC
Saturday 2/6 Girls Soccer vs. Webb 9:00am @ Webb
Cabin in the Woods Project:
Students in Ms. Wagner's 6th grade science class finished
their Energy unit with an extra credit Cabin in the Woods
project. They were instructed to build a 3D model cabin in
the woods that was self-sufficient. Students had to list the
energy resources available to them and explain how these
resources could be used to heat, cool, and power their
homes. They received extra points if they made their
cabins functional. For example, in Rebecca Yu's project, a
pond at the top of a mountain collects water and gravity
pushes the water through pipes to a spinning watermill. A
crank is mechanically turned to generate electricity and turn
on a light in the model-style cabin. Students who
participated are Pascale Easterday, Serenity Kirby, Audrey
Thurmond, Rebecca Yu, Jamie Guckenberger, Roan
Alonzo, Lucy Nichols, Michaelian Trachtenberg, Marley
Angle, Mary Ayala, and Marina Garfield. Wow! Way to go
above and beyond with your learning Scotties!
CAC Meeting:
By: Alysa Spiro; Scottie Ambassador Executive
Committee Reporter – 6th grade
During the most recent CAC meeting on Monday January
11th, the proud Scottie parents and Principal George
Llewelynn discussed many important matters in the library.
Our school has gotten 425 new Chromebooks for student
use. Wow! Lamar may also be getting three new portables
for Fine Arts! Also, Lamar Middle school is officially frozen
to transfers for the next year. Scotties will also have the
benefit of a full-time guitar teacher and a part-time piano
teacher. This year has had the highest number of honor roll
students in five years! Way to go, Scotties!
Yearbook Prices Going Up:
ORDER NOW AND SAVE $5! Take a moment this
weekend to order your yearbook NOW before the price
goes up. On February 1st, the price will increase to
$40. Order now for $35 and save $5! We SOLD OUT last
year, so don't wait. Order online at www.balfour.com, or
pick up an order form in the office. Questions? Contact
Mrs. Dietz at: [email protected].
Bookspring Readathon:
Don’t forget the Bookspring Readathon starts on Monday
January 25th! Students will set a goal for reading, and then
collect donations / pledges based on that goal. All proceeds
go to Bookspring, a nonprofit organization dedicated to
putting books in the hands of students who can’t afford
them. Take a look at the attached flyers for further
information and to get registered online. Happy Reading!
Newsletter is emailed to the email address of the primary parent.
All current and past newsletters can also be accessed on Lamar's website: lamarmiddleschool.org
William Magnum Grades 6, 7, & 8 Web Design, Graphic Design & Keyboarding Allow us to introduce yet another new face at Lamar this spring semester—Mr. William Magnum. Mr. Magnum took over for Ms. Tipton who retired at the end of 2015, and we are so thankful he has joined our team! He has lived in many different states, and brings a wealth of world experience to the table. This allows him to impart valuable wisdom to his kiddos. Read below to find out about Mr. Magnum’s days on a Canadian farm! A Conversation with Mr. Magnum What made you decide to become an educator? I had the opportunity to teach kids in NYC and Boston how to make digital videos, and after subbing for AISD, I decided to apply to become a full‐time teacher. Tell us about your background (where you’re from, where you went to school, how you came to be a teacher at Lamar, etc.): I grew up in San Antonio and started college there, then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin where I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. What do you think is the most exciting part about teaching at Lamar Middle School? It is really exciting and gratifying to be able to pass on the knowledge I have gained through my experience in the world. If someone were to shadow you for a day, what could they expect in a typical day at Lamar? There is no typical day! I like to ask a lot of questions of the students and get them thinking, especially in my design classes. What are some fun facts about you? Besides Texas, I’ve lived in New York City, Boston, D.C., Portland, New Mexico, and Canada. I was living and working on a farm while I was in Canada. Milking cows early in the morning, chasing piglets, growing vegetables, making cheese. It was life‐changing. What do you think is the most important advice or wisdom you can impart to your students? A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, but I think it depends on what kind of bird we’re talking about. Newsletter is emailed to the email address of the primary parent.
All current and past newsletters can also be accessed on Lamar's website: lamarmiddleschool.org
AISD Parents & Families,
As the District continues to strive for excellence in preparing our students for academic
success, we encourage parents to offer feedback on the 2015-2016 school year by completing
the AISD Parent Survey .Your opinions are important and will be taken into consideration as
we strive to serve our students better.
Within the next few weeks, you will receive a survey about your child’s school.
As an alternative, the survey also will be available on the district’s website:
https://www.austinisd.org/announcements/2015-16-parent-families-survey-now-available
Once available, the results of our survey will be distributed to campus principals, district
administrators, and the Board of Trustees. Our community can also view the results when
the reports are posted to the AISD website by the end of June.
If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, you may contact the AISD
Department of Research and Evaluation at 512-414-1724.
Thank you for taking the time to help us understand our strengths and opportunities
for improvement.
Sincerely,
LMS Administration and Staff
Padres y familias del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Austin:
El distrito continúa su esfuerzo por alcanzar la excelencia en preparar a sus estudiantes para el
éxito académico, y al mismo tiempo invita a los padres de familia a llenar la Encuesta para
Padres de Familia de AISD y hacer sus comentarios sobre el año escolar 2015-2016. Su
opinión es importante y se tomará en cuenta para mejorar la calidad de servicio a nuestros
estudiantes.
En las próximas semanas, recibirán una encuesta sobre la escuela de sus hijos.
Como alternativa, la encuesta también estará disponible en el sitio de Internet del distrito:
www.austinisd.org.
Una vez que tengamos los resultados de la encuesta, se distribuirán a los directores de los
planteles, administradores del distrito y la Mesa Directiva. La comunidad también podrá ver
los resultados cuando los informes se publiquen, al final de junio, en el sitio de Internet del
distrito.
Si tienen alguna pregunta o preocupación sobre la encuesta, pueden comunicarse con el
Departamento de Investigación y Evaluación del AISD llamando al (512) 414-1724.
Gracias por tomarse el tiempo para ayudarnos a entender mejor nuestros puntos fuertes y
las oportunidades que tenemos para mejorar.
Atentamente,
LMS Administration and Staff
NOW IS THE TIME TO REQUEST
YOUR STUDENT TRANSFER TO
MCCALLUM
HS
MUST BE REQUESTED DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY ATTENTION LAMAR 8TH GRADERS that do not live in McCallum’s attendance zone, if you have been a Lamar student for all of 7th and 8th grade and you want to continue to McCallum HS, then NOW is the time to apply for your tracking transfer. Transfer request forms are available in Lamar’s front office. SELECT “TRACKING TRANSFER” FOR TYPE OF TRANSFER Submit the completed form to AISD Office of Student Services 1111 West 6th Street A‐200 Austin, TX 78703‐5338 LAMAR ULTIMATE FRISBEE
12 January 2016
Dear Parents and Students,
Lamar’s Ultimate (Frisbee) season is getting underway. Ultimate is open to all Lamar students (boys AND
GIRLS) in grades 6, 7, and 8. If students are new to Ultimate, paying the entry fee is not required immediately, students
are welcome to come to practice and try it out. Students MUST turn in the Medical Authorization form in order to come to
practice starting January 22nd.
What’s required?
-UPLA Spring League Medical Authorization Form (attached) required in order to practice
-$25 entry fee (covers league registration, jersey, and disc) in order to compete in the league starting April 2nd
Checks can be made out to Lamar Ultimate Frisbee. Payment can be turned in to Mr. Saxton or Mr. Moore.
-Appropriate clothes and shoes (cleats are encouraged but not required)
-Water bottle, snacks, hat, and sun block
LAMAR ULTIMATE SCHEDULE:
January 22nd: Friday practices start, 3:30p-5:00p
March 23rd: Wednesday practices added: 3:30p-5:00p
April 2nd (Saturday): Middle School Spring League starts, 9:30a-1p, East Metro Park, Manor
ABOUT THE SEASON:
This practice is designed to facilitate teamwork and allows us, the coaches, to have more one-on-one time with the
students. Some things we want to help develop, on top of the core concept of the “Spirit of the Game,” is their
coordination with the Frisbee, throwing both backhand and forehand, and teaching them how to make “cuts,” which
involves field awareness.
Middle School Spring League starts Saturday, April 2nd and runs for four Saturdays, ending April 23rd with a
tournament. A weather make-up game is scheduled for May 7th, which will happen regardless if we are rained out or not.
The league will be held on Saturday mornings, with 2 games, beginning at 10am and 11:30am (finished around 1pm).
This year's Spring League will be played at East Metro Park, Travis County fields located at 18701 Blake Manor Rd,
Manor, TX 78653.The final details have not been released yet and are subject to change, but you can find all the up-todate info at upla.austinultimate.org.
WHAT IS ULTIMATE?
Ultimate is a team, field sport (like soccer) played with a Frisbee. The object is to advance the Frisbee into your own end
zone by throwing it. Enjoying the pure pleasure of play is paramount to Ultimate, but players are encouraged to be
competitive – NEVER, however, at the expense of fair play and sportspersonship. Unlike most team sports, players are
responsible for officiating the game themselves through a code of conduct called the “Spirit of the Game" (SOTG). This is
what makes Ultimate unique and amazing, because players have to not only learn how to play, but also how to selfofficiate. The SOTG is what I think makes Ultimate Frisbee the best sport to get involved in at an early age - to help
engender a spirit of friendly competition. Along with this letter I have included a handout intended for both students and
parents explaining, more in depth, the meaning of the “Spirit of the Game” and 10 simple rules to be aware of in the sport
of Ultimate.
ABOUT THE COACHES:
Head Coach, John Higgs, has been playing Ultimate for over 10 years, mostly in Austin leagues and clubs. He was born
and raised here in Austin; “I was introduced to Ultimate at McCallum High School, so I am very excited to be introducing
this sport I love to kids even younger than I was when I started playing.” He is a certified coach having received formal
Ultimate coaching education through USA Ultimate, the national governing body for the sport, and has been coaching the
Lamar Ultimate Frisbee Club Team for the last 2 years.
Bryan Moore is an English and special ed teacher at Lamar, but has been a close high school friend of Coach Higgs. He
and Coach Higgs learned the sport together at McCallum. He has also been coaching the club and team for 2 years.
John Saxton is also an English teacher at Lamar, who most of you may already be acquainted with; he has been with the
team for the last 2 years, as well as coached tennis and basketball. He is a member of a weekly pick-up group.
We hope this letter will serve as a little introduction of the coaches and the game of Ultimate Frisbee. We look forward to
meeting each of you at one of the upcoming games this Spring!
Many Thanks!
The Coaches
2016 UPLA Spring League
Medical Authorization Form
upla.austinultimate.org
Purpose: To enable parents or guardians to authorize the provision of emergency treatment for
their children who are injured or become ill while under the authority of
Name(s) of school or chaperone: __________________________________
in the event the parents or legal guardians cannot be reached. This acknowledges that we, the
undersigned, parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of
Name of participant: ____________________________________________
recognize the potentially hazardous nature of the sport of Ultimate that an injury may be
sustained. These injuries include, but are not limited to, PERMANENT DISABILITY,
BLINDNESS, PARALYSIS and DEATH. In the event of such injury to the participant and we (I
or my spouse or guardian) cannot be contacted, we give permission to qualified and licensed
EMTs, physicians, paramedics, and/or other medical or hospital personnel to render appropriate
treatment.
We (I) release the 2016 UPLA Spring League, its employees, its agents, its volunteers and its
assigns from any personal injuries caused by or having any relation to this activity. We (I)
understand that this release applies to any present or future injuries or illnesses and that it binds
my heirs, executors and administrators. This release form is complete and signed of my own
free will and with full knowledge of its significances. I have read and understand all of its terms.
Parent/Guardian (printed): ____________________________________________________
_______________
Date
________________
Signature
_________________ ____________________
Phone Number
Email
Parent/Guardian (printed): ____________________________________________________
_______________
Date
________________
Signature
_________________ ____________________
Phone Number
Email
Insurance Carrier: _____________________ Preferred Hospital: _____________________
Emergency Contact: ______________________ Phone Number: ____________________
Specific facts concerning participant’s medical history including allergies, medication, chronic
illness or other conditions which a physician should be alerted to: ______________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Completed forms should be given to coaches or chaperones. Coaches and chaperones are
responsible for keeping these forms on site or at any gathering at all times.
Let’s Get Batty about Books!
During the Read-A-Thon you’re going to read as much as you can and keep track with the log attached to this
page. You’ll ask friends and family for pledges to donate to your Read-A-Thon and then collect the amount they
owe based on how much you read! Your donations will help give books to kids in Austin that need them.
How to participate:
1.
Register online at http://readathon.bookspring.org
(REQUIRED if you want to be eligible for awards or
prizes or take online donations).
Registrate en el internet (obligatorio si quieres ser elegible para
medallas o premios o recibir donaciones por internet).
2.
Ask your friends and family for pledges and share your
online donation page.
Solicita a tus amigos y familiares que se compromentan y compartan
su página de donaciones de internet.
3.
Read as much as you can from January 25-February 5
and keep track on your reading log.
BookSpring provides reading experiences,
tools, and books to children and their families
here in Austin so they can develop a desire to
read and succeed in school and life.
We provide the Reading Is
Fundamental and Reach Out and
Read programs across Austin.
Visit www.bookspring.org for
more information.
Every $3 in donations provides a
book to a child in Austin.
Student who submits most
Bookaround.co reviews at each
school will win a
plush penguin and an
Amazon gift card!*
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Leas lo más que puedas de enero 25 a febrero 5 y apunta los datos
en tu registro de lectura.
4.
5.
Add up how much you read and collect the pledges from
friends and family.
Sumas la cantidad que lees y recaudas el dinero comprometido de
tus amigos y familiares.
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Fill out your envelope (including online ID number if you
want to be eligible for prizes or medals).
School that submits the most reviews
will win 2 Chromebooks for the library!**
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A Top Reader medal for minutes and
pages will be awarded at each school!
Completa tu sobre (incluyendo el número de ID del internet si deseas
ser elegible para los premios o las medallas).
6.
Return your envelope to your teacher on February 16th.
Presenta tu sobre a tu maestro el 16 de febrero.
7.
Await prizes and awards starting in late March.
Tus premios y reconocimientos empezarán a llegar a partir del fin de
marzo.

Top Fundraising
Classroom at each
school wins a
Gatti’s Pizza Party!
*min 20 recs **min 100 recs
To be eligible to earn prizes, you MUST register online by 2/5/16
After you register at readathon.bookspring.org, you will receive an email with your Read-A-Thon ID number.
You MUST write this number on the envelope you return to your teacher
to be eligible to receive prizes.
All donations must be received by 11:59pm, February 19th to be eligible for prizes.
Make checks payable to BookSpring.
Batty about Books Prizes*:
*you must register online and write your ID number on your envelope to be eligible for prizes
*es
necesario que usted registrarse en internet y escribir su número de ID en el sobre para ser elegible para premios
$5+
$10+
$30+
Whataburger
Justaburger Kids Meal
Tiny Amy’s Ice Cream
Book Light
$50+
$75+
Read-A-Thon T-Shirt
Bundtlet from
Nothing Bundt Cakes
$125+
Screaming
Slingshot
Monkey
PLUS!
8 nuggets or 3 strips from
Chick-Fil-A
$200+
Capital
Cruises
Bat Boat
Tour Ticket
Top Fundraiser at
Your School Earns a
KINDLE FIRE*!
*Total raised by school must be at least $1,000
THANK YOU to our 2016 Read-A-Thon Sponsors!
BookSpring’s 2016 Read-A-Thon
“Batty about Books”
Reading Log/Registro de Lectura
Name:
Date/
Fecha
Title/
Título
Author/
Autor
Pages/
Páginas
Minutes/
Minutos
Totals/Totales
Add up your total number of pages and minutes and write them on your pledge envelope (or
enter them on your online fundraising page). No need to turn in this log, it’s yours!
Sume el número total de páginas y minutos y las escríbleas en tu sobre de compromiso (o éntralos en tu página
del internet de recaudación de fondos). No hay necesidad de regresarnos este registro, es tuyo!
BookSpring’s 2016 Read-A-Thon
“Batty about Books”
Pledge Log/Registro De Donativos
Name:
Name/
Nombre
Pledge (cents per
minute)/ Compromiso
(centavos por
minutos de lectura)
Number of minutes x cents
per minute/ Compromiso
(centavos por minutos de
lectura x cuántos minutos leí)
Amount Collected/
Cantidad
Grand Total/Gran Total
Add up your total amount raised from cash and checks and write it on your pledge
envelope. No need to turn in this log, it’s yours!
Suma la cantidad total recaudada de dinero en efectivo y cheques, y escríbelo en tu sobre de donativos. No hay
necesidad de regresarnos este registro, es tuyo!
Thank you to our LamarFest Sponsors! fordellis
construction |
, LLC
renovation
fordellis.com
512 . 657 . 5911
ten (10) each
fordellis
construction |
, LLC
renovation
one (1) each
The Hissey Family, The Weng Family & Chinatown Restaurants, The Vaughan Family, Azul Tequila, The Scaglione Family, School Tools / Mary Logsdon, The Plotkin Family, Northwest AusHn Civic AssociaHon, The Werkenthin Family, The Crow Family, The Stone Family, The Shearer Family, The Alonzo Family, The Anderson Family, The Sabolcik Family, The Jones Family, The Dieterich Family, The Gonzales Family, The Joseph Family, Mr. Llewellyn, The Henry Family, The Hester Family, The Rutledge Family, The Ruggero Family, The Spiro-­‐Bijl Family, The Nudelman Family, The Casey Family, The Cordes Family, The Marceau Family, The Eaton Family, The Denby Family, The Rooff Family, The Dooley Family Scottie Community Bulletin Board Write with Us in 2016! Writing Workshops for Teens in the Austin Public Library Badgerdog is offering two free writing workshops for teens this spring in the Austin Public Library: Building Mythology: In this workshop for teens (ages 12‐15) led by Eva Suter, we'll explore myth and fairy tale forms and write from image and text prompts to create flash fiction and monologues set in our invented mythological worlds. Saturday, April 9 from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at the Yarborough Branch Library. Reserve your spot here. The Magic Writing of Harry Potter: Ever try to figure out what makes the Harry Potter books so addictive? Through a series of close readings and in‐depth discussions, we'll investigate this question from the writer's point of view, then put some of those craft lessons to use in our own writing. Whether you're a die‐hard fan or you've never set foot in Hogwarts, you'll learn something new in this workshop led by writer Noah Weisz. Saturday, April 30, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Howson Branch Library. Reserve a spot here. Spring Break Workshops & Creative Writing Summer Camp Dates Coming Soon! Dates and locations for Badgerdog's Spring Break Workshops and Creative Writing Summer Camp will be announced later this month, and registration will open February 1. Stay tuned for more details and be sure to to secure a spot early! Both programs allow 3rd‐12th graders to work with a professional writer, explore the arts of poetry and prose writing, and become published authors. STAAR Test Success To help teachers and students prepare for the expository section of the STAAR writing test, Badgerdog offers professional development for teachers, as well as six‐week writing workshops to help students hone the skills they need for success on the test. Both professional development and six‐week workshops utilize creative strategies to engage students in the practice of idea and detail generation, organizing content, and writing with clarity. To request a professional development session or six‐week workshop for your school, contact Programs Manager Cecily Sailer at [email protected] or (512) 542‐0076.